A cocktail-party relaunch, an exotic-fruit film, avant-garde jazz and more stuff to do this week

Our weekly Red List round-up

Digable music

The flute isn’t generally regarded as a staple instrument of jazz—at least not like trumpet, piano or saxophone. Not that there haven’t been some outstanding jazz flautists over the years—like Herbie Mann and Bobbi Humphrey, as two prime examples. Nicole Mitchell is another incredible instrumentalist to add to the list. She’s performed with avant-garde ensemble Exploding Star Orchestra, as well as with experimental jazz icon Anthony Braxton. Mitchell’s latest group is called the Sun Dial Ensemble, and they’ll be performing as part of Bonnie Wright’s curated Fresh Sound series, bringing together jazz, African, gospel and avant-garde sounds into one eclectic and unique showcase. Nicole Mitchell and Sun Dial Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m.Friday, March 7, at the Athenaeum School of the Arts in University Heights (4441 Park Blvd.). Tickets are $15, or $10 for students.

Digable flick

The Fruit Hunters, a documentary about folks from Borneo to the Hollywood Hills who seek out exotic fruits—through cultivation, detective work and science—is an ideal pick for ArtPower's ongoing"Foovies" dinner-and-movie series. At7 p.m.Thursday, March 6, at The Loft at UCSD (fourth floor of Price Center East), sit down for a three-course, fruit-inspired meal of watermelon-and-feta salad, chicken breast with mango-jalapeño salsa and a citrus wild rice and, for dessert, a fresh-fruit tart (vegetarian options are available by request).The Fruit Hunters, directed by Yung Chang—the guy behind the critically acclaimed documentaryUp the Yangtze—starts at8 p.m.Admission is $34 for dinner and the film, or $10 for the film only.

Digable to-do

It’s transmogrification by moonlight. Celebrate the cocktail-party launch of the Athenaeum's re-imagined A-List event for young art-and-music lovers. NiteOwls proceeds into greatness on Thursday, March 6, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. with music, food and booze. Sip on a cocktail and enjoy small bites as you peruse the art of Robert Irwin. Mingle with other art enthusiasts as the revelry becomes a DJ dance party. Rest assured knowing the launch marks not just a new moniker but a new protocol, which will still offer the traditional mixers, but now include events of other genres, such as poetry nights, art classes and concerts. The event is open for those 21 to 45 years of age. Members get in for $10, nonmembers $12. The Athenaeum is located at 1008 Wall St. in La Jolla.

Digable art

A trip to the UCSD Open Studios event is a walk on the wild side. The school continues to crank out some of the art world’s boldest, brightest and strangest conceptual artists and the annual event is a chance to walk through the intimate workspace of the school's current MFA and PhD students before they graduate and (some of them, at least) go on to greatness. This year’s batch includes former CityBeat cover artists and participatory collaborative Collective Magpie, edgy performance artist Artemisa Clark, painter Walter Sutin (whose piece is pictured here), sculptor and mixed-media artist Joshua Jon Miller and other interesting and adventurous artists. Open Studios is happening from 3 to 8 p.m.Saturday, March 8, at the Graduate Visual Arts Facility on campus. There’s free parking at the Gilman Parking Structure, which is just steps away from the arts facility.

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